Provider comparisons · California
A California-licensed alternative to WSFP (Western States Fire Protection)
This name comes up most often for suppression and sprinkler work. If your scope is alarm, detection, monitoring, access control, or video, you're comparing across disciplines — worth confirming which trade the provider is actually licensed and staffed for.
WSFP (Western States Fire Protection) (wsfp.com) is a separate company with no affiliation to Fireside Security. We publish no claims about their services — go read their site and compare for yourself. Everything below about Fireside is publicly verifiable.
Do this first
What actually matters in this comparison
- Whether your scope is suppression, detection, or both — and who is licensed for each
- Whether alarm and monitoring are in-house or referred out
- Which license class covers the electrical portion of the work
- Whether one contract can cover detection, monitoring, and electronic security
Side by side
Fireside's answers, and the questions to bring
| What to compare | Fireside Security | Ask WSFP (Western States Fire Protection) the same |
|---|---|---|
| California contractor license | CSLB #978023, C-10 Electrical. Verifiable on the CSLB license lookup before you sign anything. | Ask for the CSLB number and check the class, status, bond, and workers' comp yourself. |
| Alarm company operator license | BSIS ACO #7133. Technicians are BSIS-registered, which California requires for alarm work. | Ask for the ACO number and confirm it is active with BSIS, not just an out-of-state license. |
| Central station monitoring | UL-Listed monitoring under UUFX S36457, 24/7/365. | Ask for the UL listing number of the central station that will actually receive your signals. |
| Who does the engineering and permitting | In-house. Fireside handles plan submittal, AHJ corrections, inspection, and closeout as one team. | Ask whether design, permitting, install, and service are the same company or subcontracted. |
| Geographic focus | California only, with offices in Santa Fe Springs, Hayward, San Mateo, and Sacramento. | Ask which physical office will dispatch your service calls and how far away it is. |
| Scope under one vendor | Fire alarm, monitoring, access control, video, intercom, and POTS replacement from one contractor. | Ask which parts of your scope get handed to a third party you'll never meet. |
| Years in operation | Operating since 1999. | Ask how long the local branch — not the parent holding company — has served your area. |
Questions
About this comparison
- Is Fireside Security affiliated with WSFP?
- No. Western States Fire Protection is a separate, unaffiliated company. This page is written for California buyers scoping fire alarm, monitoring, and electronic security work.
- What scope does Fireside cover?
- Fire alarm design, installation, inspection and testing, UL-Listed 24/7 monitoring, access control, video surveillance, intercom, and POTS-line replacement — under CSLB #978023 (C-10) and BSIS ACO #7133.
- How do I check a California fire alarm contractor's license?
- Look up the license number on the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) site and confirm the alarm company operator license with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Fireside Security holds CSLB #978023 (C-10 Electrical), ACO #7133, and UL-Listed monitoring UUFX S36457.
- Where does Fireside Security operate?
- California only, with offices in Santa Fe Springs, Hayward, San Mateo, Sacramento. Fireside has operated since 1999.
Want a second opinion on the quote you already have?
Send us the scope. We'll price it, flag anything that won't pass inspection in your jurisdiction, and tell you plainly if you're better off staying put.